New race machines back in the day?

[micmac]

As I was working on my hustler today and mulling over all the stuff to make it race ready I started wondering about when AATV racing was at its heyday. The question I have is did the manufacturer ATTEX, Recreatives, etc sell stripped down new machines for racing? Or did the race teams have to buy new recreational machines and convert them to racers?

[jpswift1]

Mike, as far as I know Attex built the ST/340/R and the ST/400/R for racing, Max had the Big Max with a 440 in it, and Scrambler made the Scrambler 340 race model. I think there are some others, but I can't think of them offhand right now.........one of those crazy late nights out

[trebmaster]

here is a scrambler that was race ready.

[micmac]

here is a scrambler that was race ready.

Very

[Don]

The question I have is did the manufacturer ATTEX, Recreatives, etc sell stripped down new machines for racing? Or did the race teams have to buy new recreational machines and convert them to racers?

I know that a lot of the bigger name Attex racers were dealers (or sometimes part owners of the company) and got parts factory-direct. I remember lots of Attex racer bodies without the headlight holes drilled out. They almost had to be right off the mold- probably seconds that Attex wouldn't let the dealers sell. I'd be surprised if it didn't work the same for the other manufacturers.

[jerseybigfoot]

Action Age started offering me free and discounted parts after my second race. Axles and transmission parts were typical. In turn they expected you to actively race.

[George]

Action Age started offering me free and discounted parts after my second race. Axles and transmission parts were typical. In turn they expected you to actively race.

Now that's cool!

[6X6]

Hey Marc:
Did you race the blackbird in NATVA events? And if so, how close to what it is now was it?

[techfx]

The Tru-Way max has an upper body blank they got directly fom RI. My uncle was a dealer but, I'm not sure if that was at the same time. All their machines were either built by them or through an after market company (ie Motion Insustries).


Looking at the old photos, you can tell alot of the early 70s racers look identical especially when it comes to roll bars/cages. I would think those were the factory machines. Afterward, everyone has their own creative cage style.

[jerseybigfoot]

Hey Marc:
Did you race the blackbird in NATVA events? And if so, how close to what it is now was it?

John I raced MA-1 class Scrambler with a 292cc Sachs and later a 295 Kawasaki. It was yellow.

[mrmrhoofer]

The terra tiger that we used to race was nothing other than a stock machine with a roll bar (originally 3 point and then 4 point) we also lowered the seat by putting in a bucket seat. Since these were 2 cycle engines we would also use a 12 volt heater blower (out of a combine cab) to put more air over the jug to keep it cooler. this also required cutting a hole int the side of the caseing to allow it to work. The engine was a 295cc Rockwell JLO.

[Bill Gerber]

In the beginning everybody raced a stock machine right off the assembly line, but very few new ones on the track. But of corse Tweaking it would get you closer to number one. Then some young kid in the junior event flipped his attex and broke his collar bone (That would have been me). Then after the next safety meeting. The roll bar became required.. And the roll bar without seat belts, is just plain stupid. So That was part of it. Attex did have the two R models that were produced for racing. I don't know of any other manufacture that made a machine particularly for racing. You could buy the machines with a roll bar and the biggest motor available from the manufacture. You didn't really see many new machines on the track. I think that was more because that its hard to spend the money for a new machine. And take it out there and flog the snot out of it. Most people made their own roll cadge and converted their old trail machine that already was scratched and beat up a little. Put in the bucket seat as low as you could get it. Look for a motor "the best you could find". Still needing tweaking, to do well..
The heavy roll cadge was a personal choice. But we were having some pretty brutal wipe outs as everyone was getting faster.. I would guess that you could still call the manufacture today and get a second body. "thats not perfect". If, their still in business, of corse.
Mine was never a trail machine. I built mine from the ground up. Beefing up the areas that are known to have problems, when heavily flogged.
However, I worked at attex and had the resources to do so. I did use a second body, but mainly because i would have been shot if I would have grabbed a new perfect one.. and no need to cut out the headlight holes..
At one time there was a race every weekend and two on some weekends. It was all about the point standings and camping and hanging out with a bunch of really good people.
It all ended in the early to mid 80's. That was sad.. Its soooo good to be able to go again.
Everyone enjoy it while it lasts, Don't take it for granted.. It is almost like it used to be, just not as big. Its still about camping and hanging out with really good people and having fun..
It don't look like it can be making anybody any money. There used to be spectators that paid admission.
So i would like to say Thanks to Buddy and all the people that are making it possible again. We All appreciate it a whole lot..

[George]

So i would like to say Thanks to Buddy and all the people that are making it possible again. We All appreciate it a whole lot..

Me too!

[Don]

Same here. I look forward to the races at Pine Lake and it's the most fun I have all year. If Bud can manage twice a year it will be fantastic! Thanks so much to all involved.

[LittleG]

Yes we would all love a second event I think we should come up with some dates to throw at Bud I am pretty sure we need to work around Phillipsburg Rodeo and the fall Busco so any suggestions we would be happy to call Bud and get something started he said he would love to do a second weekend with us rumor has it there trying to get more of the old Fisher racers running again so through out your Ideas on some dates everyone and lets see what we can get done